Ireland put on a comprehensive display with both bat and ball to register a historic victory over South Africa, in front of their home crowd in Malahide, on Tuesday. Andy Balbirnie’s century, coupled with 68-ball 79 from Harry Tector, lifted Ireland to 290/5 in the first innings.
In reply, South Africa got off a decent start, courtesy Janneman Malan. But Markram’s dismissal in the fifth over opened the floodgates. They were eventually bowled out for 247 and lost the contest by 43 runs.
Balbirnie called the toss and correctly and took a gamble of batting first on a greenish surface. Balbirnie and Paul Stirling added 64 for the opening stand. In an attempt to break the shackles, Stirling charged down the track and went for a wild hoick off Keshav Maharaj. He could not connect with the ball and saw his stumps uprooted.
Andy McBrine then added 60 with Balbirnie for the second wicket. McBrine’s dismissal in 29th over brought Harry Tector to the crease. Ireland were 124/2 in 28.3 overs at this stage. Tector got a lifeline next ball, when Kyle Verreynne failed to grab a catch off the outside edge.
Tector capitalised and went on to play a rapid innings. He was watchful at the start, but went all guns blazing once he got his eye in. Balbirnie too upped the tempo and reached his seventh ODI century. Balbirnie departed on 102. George Dockrell (45 in 23) joined Tector, and the pair added 90 runs in just 52 balls.
Chasing 291 to win, the visitors lost Markram early in the innings. Temba Bavuma fell to Craig Young a few overs later. Malan (84) kept ticking the scoreboard with occasional boundaries, and found support from Rassie van der Dussen (49). The pair added 108 for the third wicket.
Van der Dussen, however, was too conservative in his approach. The asking rate kept ticking on, but with two set batters in the middle, South Africa were still in the charge. Then South Africa lost both Malan and van der Dussen in the space of seven deliveries and lose their grip on the match.
South Africa never recovered, and were bowled out for 247. Mark Adair, Joshua Little and Andy McBrine picked up two wickets each.
Brief scores: Ireland 290/5 in 50 overs (Andy Balbirnie 102; Andile Phehlukwayo 2-73) beat South Africa 247 in 48.3 overs (Dawid Malan 84; Andy McBrine 2-34) by 43 runs. Player of the Match: Andy Balbirnie.